A land-based cruise missile launched from Houthi-controlled Yemen hit a commercial tanker, causing fire and damage but no casualties, two US defense officials told Reuters on Monday.
The attack on the STRINDA tanker occurred about 60 nautical miles north of the Bab al-Mandab Strait at about 2100 GMT, one of the officials said.
The US Navy destroyer USS Mason was there and providing assistance, the official said.
A second officer said the STRINDA was moving under its own power within hours of the attack.
The chemical tanker is Norwegian-flagged, and its Norwegian owner Mowinckel Chemical Tankers and manager Hansa Tankers could not be immediately reached for comment outside office hours.
The Iran-allied Houthis have been waging a conflict – which has spread across the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas war broke out on October 7 – attacking ships in key shipping lanes and firing drones and missiles at Israel itself.
The MT STRINDA 19.9 K Stainless Steel Chemical Tanker was attacked while traveling through the Red Sea. US J. Ludwig Mowinckels Rederi
On Saturday, the Houthis said they would target all ships bound for Israel, regardless of their nationality, and warned international shipping companies not to deal with Israeli ports.
STRINDA has loaded vegetable oil and biofuel in Malaysia and is heading to Venice, Italy, data from ship tracking firm Kpler shows.
It was not immediately clear whether STRINDA had any ties to Israel.
The group, which rules most of Yemen, said its attacks were a show of support for the Palestinians and had vowed they would continue until Israel halted its offensive in the Gaza Strip – more than 1,000 miles from the Houthi seat of power in Sanaa.
The US Navy destroyer USS Mason was there and provided assistance. Reuters
The Houthis are one of several groups in the Iran-allied “Axis of Resistance” that have targeted Israel and the US since their Palestinian ally Hamas attacked Israel.
In the first week of December, three commercial ships were attacked in international waters, prompting US Navy destroyers to intervene.
The Houthis also seized last month a British cargo ship linked to an Israeli company.
The United States and Britain have condemned the attack on the shipping, blaming Iran for its role in supporting the Houthis.
Tehran says its allies make their decisions independently.
Saudi Arabia has asked the United States to show restraint in responding to the attack.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
